Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Happy Birthday, dear Sarah!!!

Today ends the Brent Colaw family birthday extravaganza. Over the past 2 1/2 months, we have had six birthdays in our house, seven if you count the dog! Our birthday traditions include a family party with the birthday star choosing the meal they want and the dessert they want, regular trips to the mailbox to see if the long distance cards/gifts have arrived, and generally a single gift from us to the child. This year the theme for all of us was something with wheels. James got money and bought a new long board; David got a new bike; Brent got a new long board; I got (or am getting) roller blades; Jason got money and bought this strange scooter (name I do not know); and today Sarah got her first skate board. Jason donated his old skateboard because she loves the way it rolls. Brent designed the underside of it with her name on it and had it printed on a piece of vinyl. James put new trucks, wheels and grip tape on it. Basically, if we can find my roller blades, we are ready to roll . . . literally!

Sarah learned to skateboard over the past couple months; she loves it and is quite good in my opinion. I couldn't stay up like she does. There are a couple videos on Facebook. She was excited when Brent carried her present into the living room, with her chocolate silk pie on top of it. She had actually requested breakfast in bed "like Daddy." On Brent's birthday, the kids brought him breakfast in bed on his new board. We weren't prepared for breakfast, but were able to make it happen for dessert. I wish I could have captured the look on her face. It was priceless. She was so happy and so surprised.

Sarah turned 7 today. It's so hard to believe. It has been a year of change and growth for her. For the most part it is good, but we are still trying to work our way through handling the emotions of a girl. Even tonight she had a breakdown. When Brent's parents were in town a few weeks ago, she was being a bit of a pill one night. I took her into my room to get her in the shower and talked to her about her behavior. In the conversation I said something about not acting like that with grandma and grandpa. She looked at me with great frustration, and said, "Mom, I can't be good for a whole ten days!" Well, she is right on that one!!! I guess the plus side is she knows herself! But this year, she has also pretty much mastered reading. She has lost almost all shyness. She has gained independence (when she wants it). She has gained a greater understanding of Jesus. She has developed more friendships. I guess I could go on and on.

I remember when I figured out I was probably pregnant with her and how terrified I was. I know the fourth one should not be so scary, but I really hadn't decided I wanted another child. I'm so thankful God had another plan! I don't know what we would do without her. It has been an adventure from the beginning: rushing off my epilepsy medicine, intense nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, not knowing if we should believe the ultrasound tech when he said it was a girl, having a special epidural and induced labor with her heart rate dropping during delivery, her amazing sleep habits (truly we were blessed and still are!), her intense shyness when we first moved to California, the things she says that make us laugh so hard, the fact that she does not like it when we laugh, the way she can eat more than both Jason and David, her intense emotions, her diligence in school. She challenges us and she brings us great joy and at times, she provides humility! It's just so much fun!!! I love her!!!!

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About Me

First, I love Jesus and am so thankful that he is my Savior!! I am married to my amazing husband, Brent, and have three handsome sons and a beautiful daughter. We have planted a church in Bakersfield, California, and our prayer is that people will see Jesus in us and want to know more about him. I also work as a social worker for Pathway Family Services.

Romans 5:2b-5

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, becuse we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.